Regulable off-gas flow control



pr l 1965 J. H. CARPENTER REGULABLB OFF-GAS FLOW CONTROL Filed larch 18, 1963 'l HI I INVENTOR. Ja/m H. Car f ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,178,162 REGULABLE OFF-GAS FLGW CONTROL John H. Cmpenter, Engiewoorl, (1010., assignor to Cameron and dance, Incorporated, Denver, Colo, a corporation of Colorado Filed Mar. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 265,718 4- Ciaims. (Cl. 263-29) As a development from and an improvement over the disclosures of United States Patent No. 3,061,293, dated October 30, 1962, this invention relates to the art and practice of material treatment in a shaft kiln, and more particularly to such art and practice as featured by collection and salvage of the off-gas products of such treatment, and has as an object to provide novel and improved means for selectively regulating the flow of off-gas output from the kiln with attendant enhanced control and increased efliciency of kiln operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means for the selective regulation of od-gas output from sub-areas of the upper surface of a charge subject to treatment in a shaft kiln.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means effective through control of off-gas output from sub-areas of the upper surface of a charge subject to treatment in a shaft kiln to selectively regulate uprise of vapors through various sections of the charge.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means suited for association with an offgas collector for a shaft kiln in a coaction accommodating regulation of off-gas input to selected regions of the collector.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved construction and organization of means constituting a regulable off-gas flow control for shaft kilns.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and operative combination of elements as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which- FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, detail section taken vertically through a portion of an off-gas collector for a shaft kiln accordant to the disclosures of the patent above noted whereto the principles and st ucture of the instant invention are particularly applicable.

FIGURE 2 is a section taken transversely through and substantially on the indicated line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 1 showing on a relatively enlarged scale the general organization according to the latter view as augmented in conformity with and to give effect to the principles of the present invention.

Shaft kilns are extensively utilized in a variety of shapes, sizes, and particular constructions for the treatment of discrete solid materials received therein for gravity transit therethrough in exposure to countercurrent uprise of gases. Incident to such treatment the gases permeate the charge of solid material to condition the latter, as desired, for recovery and effuse through the upper surface of the charge as an off-gas product of the treatment frequently qualified for collection and recovery for direction to further processing or reuse. Significant to satisfactory and eilicient shaft kiln treatment operations are infeed of solid materials charge with avoidance of particle size segregation and peaking or piling within the receiving vessel, prompt and effective collection of off-gas output from the entire upper surface area of the charge, and dependably uniform dispersion and circulation of the input gas through the body of the charge. The noted considerations anent infeed or" charge and collection of olfgas output have been hitherto quite adequately resolved in a manner and by means readily adaptable to promote eficient dispersion and circulation of input gas traversing the charge, and the instant invention is hence directed to the provision of a novel, practical, and advantageous such adaptation.

As represented by FIGURES 1 and 2 typifying the disclosures of the patent above identified, it is known to close the upper end of an upright shaft kiln, of any expedient size and transverse outline, having a shell wall 19 supporting a refractory liner 11, by means of a coextensive collecting chamber defined between spacedly-parallel, horizontal plate members 12 and 13 marginally sealed to an upward extension of the wall 16 and to effect infeed of charge to the shell interior through a plurality of conduits l4 traversing the collecting chamber in intersecting engagement with the members 12 and 13 to deliver below the lower member 13 and out of communication with the collecting chamber in a spaced relation appropriating the effective lateral c..arge area of the shell 10. Thus organized, the collecting chamber established between the members 12 and 13 is qualified by means of openings 15 through the lower member 13 between the several conduits 14 to receive and collect off-gas uprise from the kiln charge for directed delivery through an outflow line 16 serving the chamber.

Designed and at least theoretically effective to provide uniform infeed of charge and uniform extraction of offgas in a manner to accommodate eflicient dispersion and circulation of input gas uprising through the body of the charge, the arrangement described as exemplary of known practice is less than dependable in such latter respect since variable and uncontrollable conditions obtaining within the charge during its development within and transit through the kiln are reflected, quite naturally, by a variation of gas circulation as relatively easier and relatively more difiicult paths for gas uprise occur and shift within the charge. Manifestly, the variations of gas uprise through the charge are evidenced as corresponding variations of off-gas output emanating from the upper surface of the charge largely, if not entirely, between the delivery ends of the conduits l4 subjacent the openings 15 alfording access through the member 13 to the collecting chamber thereabove and persist with attendant erratic conditioning of the charge when free passage to the interior of the collecting chamber is uniformly available through the array of like openings 15 interrupting the member 13. Given the variations of gas uprise through the charge inevitably characterizing operations had in the described structure as above discussed, it is logical and valid to recognize that the amplitudes of the variations may be moderated with consequent enhanced uniformity of gas uprise throughout the body of the charge by means effective to restrict passage of the more vigorous gas uprise currents to the interior of the collecting chamber, in practical realization whereof the present invention provides simple such means manipulable at option selectively to adjust the flow capacity of each of the openings 15 aifording passage through the member 13 from the upper end of the kiln to the interior of the collection chamber.

As exemplified by FEGURE 3, the concept and principle of the invention are operatively developed in association with the structure typified by FIGURES 1 and 2 through a conditioning of each of the openings 15, as by means of an upstanding circumferential collar 17, or the functional equivalent, for closing coaction at times with a valve element, such as a flat plate 18, independently adjustable by appropriate means accessible exteriorly of the kiln into and away from engagement therewith. Of whatever expedient structural particularity, the conditioning of each of the openings 15 typified by the collar 1'7 qualifies as a seat bounding the opening complemental to a valve element 18 of compatible form in as a combination serving as a valve for the regulation and control of flow through the associated openin (Pbviously, the movable element 18 of each flow control valve may be arranged for selective adjustment toward and away from its seat through and by means of various agencies and facilities accessible exteriorly of the kiln, such as, for example, that appearing in FIGURE 3 of the drawing which comprises a straight, rigid stem 19 reciprocable in and through a stuffing box it fixed to the upper member 12 of the collecting cham er to align the axis of the stem witht'ne center of a'subjacent opening 15, a connection operatively coupling an element 18 to and for travel with the lower end of the stem 1) in a manner effective to close the passage through the subjacent open-- ing when the stem is lowered to apply said element to its complementary seat, and a manipulating handle 21 terminating the said stem exteriorly of the kiln in a separation from the associated element 13 sutficient for application of the element 18 to coaction with its seat prior to shift-limiting contact of the said handle against the studing box. Organized to function substantially as shown and described, the valves individually associated with the openings 15 serving the collecting chamber are independently adjustable to regulate and control inflow of oil-gas output to the collecting chamber through the openings respectively served thereby as may be determinedto be appropriate, the range of such adjustment available to each of the valves being represented by the alternative dispositions of the three valve shown in FEGURE 3 whereof the one at the righthand side of the view is fully open for accommodation of maximum inflow through the opening controlled thereby, the one centered in the view is fully closed to inhibit inflow through the associated opening; and the one at the lef -hand side of the view is partially open to afford restricted passage to a consequently-regulated inflow. Obviously economical of production and expedient of installation for intended use, the particular organization of the valve components shown and described has practical merit which, while not critical to practice of the invention or exlusive of functionallyequivalent means, contributes to the utility and advantage of the improvement. The oil-gas output from the kiln received within the collecting chamber quite commonly entrains a dispersion of line solid particles retained in part as a deposit upon the upper surface of the member 13 with potential for impairment of contiguous valve operations, for which reason the upstanding collar form of the valve seat designated 17 is desirable in its elevation of the closure seat of the valve away from such accumulations and the fiat plate form of the valve element 18 closable to the seat is helpful in its capability to perfeet a valve closure but little affected by the presence of entrained solids in the flow thereby controlled Use and operation of the improvement to enhance the functional efficiency of a shaft kiln having feed and oilgas collecting features as shown and described should be readily apparent from the foregoing. Equipped with the independently-adjustable valves for control of inflow at each input opening of the collecting chamber, any inequality of gas uprise through the body of the kiln charge susceptible of recognition, as by thermocouples, or otherwise, may be corrected through full or partial closure of the valve or valves controlling the input openings receiving the more vigorous currents of gas uprise, whereby to check and moderate such currents with consequent promotion of more uniform dispersion and circulation of gas uprise through the body of the kiln charge as the moderated uprise currents are impelled to seek new paths of flow in reaction to the pressures resulting from restriction of access to the collecting chamber previously available. Exeriorly accessible as set forth, the valves distinguishing the improvement are susceptible of individual adjustment to desired degree by any ex edient means, remote control or other, without interruption of continuous kiln operation.

Since changes, variations, and modifications in the form, construction, and arrangement of the elements shown and described may be had without departing from the spirit of my invention, 1 wish to be understood as being limited solely by the scope of the appended claims, rather than by any details of the i lustrative showing and foregoing description.

1 claim as my invention:

1. The combination with an 0ff-gas collecting chamber closing the upper end of a shaft kiln in flow communication therewith through an array of like input openings appropriating the floor area of the chamber transverse of the kiln in spaced apart relation of a collar upstanding about each said opening as a valve seat bounding the same, a flat plate valve element coactable with the seat-constituting collar as a closure over the associated opening, and means engaged with each said valve elenent selectively and individually manipulable to adjustably position and retain the latter in diverse operative correlation with its seat, whereby optionally to vary rate and volume of inilow through the respective said openings for consequent efiective distribution laterally of the kiln of the entire od-gas flow received in and freely deliverable trom the collecting chamber.

2. In a shaft kiln having an off-gas collecting chamber closing its upper end in fiow'comrnunication with the interior of the kiln through an array of like input openings appropriating the floor area of the chamber transverse of the kiln in spaced apart relation, the improvement which comprises a valve seat bounding each said opening, a valve element adjustably coactable with said seat for regulation of flow through the associated opening, and means for selectively and independently adjusting each said valve element relative to its seat, whereby optionally to vary rate and volume of inflow through the respective said openin s for consequent etfcctive distribution laterally of the kiln of the entire off-gas flow received in and freely deliverable from the collecting chamber.

3. In a shaft kiln having an ofi-gas collecting chamber closing its upper end in flow communication with the interior or the kln through an array of like input openings appropriating the floor area of the chamber transverse of the kiln in spaced apart relation, the improvement which comprises a collar upstanding about each said opening as a valve seat bounding the same, a fiat plate valve element coactable with the seat-constituting collar as a closure over the associated opening, and means engaged with each said valve element selectively and individually manipulable to adjustable position and retain the latter in diverse operative correlations with its seat, whereby optionally to vary rate and volume of inflow through the respective said openings for consequent eitective distribution laterally of the kiln of the entire oilgas flow received in and freely deliverable from the collecting chamber.

4. The organization according to claim 3, wherein the means manipulable to adjustably position and retain the valve element relative to its seat consists of a stuffing box secured to a component of the collecting chamber parallel to and spacedly above the floor carrying the openings and collars in axial registration with the center of each said open ng, a stra ght stem fixedly and centrally perpendicular to each said valve element in guided, reciprocable accommodation through the correlative stufiing box, said stem having a length such as to project upwardly and exteriorly of the collecting chamber from the associated stuifing box when the valve element carried thereby is closed over and seated against the collar appurtenant thereto, and a manipulating handle on the end of said stem so exteriorly exposed.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,433,591 12/47 Bierce 26329 2,477,019 7/49 Utterback et al. 263-19 2,752,231 6/56 Bearer 26319 3,061,293 10/62 Jones 26329 CHARLES SUKALO, Primary Examiner. 

1. THE COMBINATION WITH AN OFF-GAS COLLECTING CHAMBER CLOSING THE UPPER END OF A SHAFT KILN IN FLOW COMMUNICATION THEREWITH THROUGH AN ARRAY OF LIKE INPUT OPENINGS APPROPRIATING THE FLOOR AREA OF THE CHAMBER TRANSVERSE OF THE KILN IN SPACED APART RELATION OF A COLLAR UPSTANDING ABOUT EACH SAID OPENING AS A VALVE SEAT BOUNDING THE SAME, A FLAT PLATE VALVE ELEMENT COACTABLE WITH THE SEAT-CONSTITUTING COLLAR AS A CLOSURE OVER THE ASSOCIATED OPENING, AND MEANS ENGAGED WITH EACH SAID VALVE ELEMENT SELECTIVELY AND INDIVIDUALLY MANIPULABLE TO ADJUSTABLY POSITION AND RETAIN THE LATTER IN DIVERSE OPERATIVE CORRELATION WITH ITS SEAT, WHEREBY OPTIONALLY TO VARY RATE AND VOLUME OF INFLOW THROUGH THE RESPECTIVE SAID OPENINGS FOR CONSEQUENT EFFECTIVE DISTRIBUTION LATERALLY OF THE KILN OF THE ENTIRE OFF-GAS FLOW RECEIVED IN AND FREELY DELIVERABLE FROM THE COLLECTING CHAMBER. 